Any recommendations of online classes?

caro

I just recently started taking sports pictures at youth events because the parents always want them and I happen to have the equipment. I'm not a professional, although it's always been a hobby, but I would like to learn how to take better pictures and thought about taking some online classes. Do you have any suggestions or recommendations?

aktse

caro wrote:

I just recently started taking sports pictures at youth events because the parents always want them and I happen to have the equipment. I'm not a professional, although it's always been a hobby, but I would like to learn how to take better pictures and thought about taking some online classes. Do you have any suggestions or recommendations?

I don't have a recommendation on a on-line classes, but you can find general info on the world wide web... and dgrin has a bunch of tutorials. You can easily pick up a book on exposure, etc., but the info can be easily found. The search button is your friend.

I find that the best lessons are found via critique. And dgrin is the best place for that..

Post a few photos (not the entire gallery).... ask for feedback. The feedback might not be what you want to hear, but it will help you become the photographer that you want to become

Rinse. Lather.. Repeat. Again. Again. Again. Again.

My first few frames were so poor that my co-workers told me to delete everything on the card and to start over again and that I really needed to spend $1000 on a lens. Unfortunately, they were right... The good news that they made certain that I had a very good foundation to build on.

Good luck.

And I did take an on-line class -- basically useless. I found the same info on the web.

Elaine

When I was just starting out with my first SLR (film), about 6 years ago, I took 3 on-line classes through my local community college. The first one was called Secrets to Better Photography, and it was a great way for me to learn the basics of photography and how a camera works, in a structured environment where I could ask questions. The next class I took was called Photographing People...that one was fairly useless for me. It was too basic and not challenging. The last I took was a class about how to use Photoshop Elements 3.0, as that is what I had at the time. That class was very helpful for me, as I was given some guidance about how to use the tools in front of me, rather than getting frustrated with trial and error.

I still consider taking a class now and then, but the ones I'm most interested in are very expensive, compared to the $79 I paid for the ones I mentioned. And I think I'd rather put that money into gear or a great workshop now!

georges

Caro -

Have you looked at the courses from BetterPhoto.com?

Classes are either four or eight weeks. They are stuctured in what I believe is the typical manner for online courses. Lessons and assignments are posted every Wednesday. You generally have about a week to 10 days to complete each assignment. The instructor critiques each assignment and participates in discussions. Each class has a discussion group for student and instructor interaction.

If you read the photo magazines or browse the photography section of your bookstore you'll recognize many of the instructors names. They all seem to be authors and professionals.

I've taken a couple of portrait courses from Ibarionex Perello and a composition class from Kerry Drager. The critiques from both instructors were very useful.

These courses are not cheap, but I felt they provided very good value. The four week courses are around $175 and the 8 week courses are about $375.

If you wnat to get a good value out of the courses, plan on being very busy. For instance, the portrait course required an average of 3 submissions per week. Photographing relatives, close friends or anyone you have photographed in the past was highly discouraged. Finding subjects and arranging the photo sessions was not a trivial task.

The composition class required three to five submission per week. I spent at least ten hours per week between shooting and post processing.

You'll also need to set aside time to comment on other students photos. It's not required, but interaction with the other students helps you get the most out of your time.

There is little risk involved. You can take a sample course for free. They also have a money back guarentee, although I don't know the details of how that works.

Now, let me say that this worked very well for me. They seem to have a lot of regular customers that have the same type of customer satisfaction that we see in Smugmug customers.

Everyone has different needs and you will need to spend some time looking over the betterphoto.com web site and determine if it would work for you.

caro

georges wrote:

Caro -
Have you looked at the courses from BetterPhoto.com?

Classes are either four or eight weeks. They are stuctured in what I believe is the typical manner for online courses. Lessons and assignments are posted every Wednesday. You generally have about a week to 10 days to complete each assignment. The instructor critiques each assignment and participates in discussions. Each class has a discussion group for student and instructor interaction.

If you read the photo magazines or browse the photography section of your bookstore you'll recognize many of the instructors names. They all seem to be authors and professionals.

I've taken a couple of portrait courses from Ibarionex Perello and a composition class from Kerry Drager. The critiques from both instructors were very useful.

These courses are not cheap, but I felt they provided very good value. The four week courses are around $175 and the 8 week courses are about $375.

If you wnat to get a good value out of the courses, plan on being very busy. For instance, the portrait course required an average of 3 submissions per week. Photographing relatives, close friends or anyone you have photographed in the past was highly discouraged. Finding subjects and arranging the photo sessions was not a trivial task.

The composition class required three to five submission per week. I spent at least ten hours per week between shooting and post processing.

You'll also need to set aside time to comment on other students photos. It's not required, but interaction with the other students helps you get the most out of your time.

There is little risk involved. You can take a sample course for free. They also have a money back guarentee, although I don't know the details of how that works.

Now, let me say that this worked very well for me. They seem to have a lot of regular customers that have the same type of customer satisfaction that we see in Smugmug customers.

Everyone has different needs and you will need to spend some time looking over the betterphoto.com web site and determine if it would work for you.

Thanks for that information. I have looked at BetterPhoto, and it sounded like something that would interest me, but it's always helpful hearing from someone first hand. I'll check into it.